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A-M NDA Alumni My Stories and/or Email addresses A Elisabeth Anderson (3/15/04) Robin
Anderson - After completing my year in Baltimore, I moved back
to Omaha, NE for a couple years. I worked with at-risk teens on basic
living skills. My NDA experience, truly helped me in this position. After
two years of working, I left Omaha for St. Louis, Missouri for graduate
school. I earned my MSW, Masters in Social Work, in May 2004, married
(yes, Michael-for those who remember) in July 04, and moved to Seattle
in August 04. Currently, I work as a classroom-based therapist in a self
contained special education classroom. When I reflect on my life, my year
in NDA was one of the best. I'm blessed to have met so many wonderful
people, especially the people I lived with at St. Matt's. (8/30/05) Letty Angulo (2/8/04) B Devin Murray Beliveau- After my year of service I moved back home to Maine to work on a gubernatorial campaign and save money for my hike of the Appalachian trail. Then I hiked the 2,173 mile Appalachian Trail, and in the process decided I would become a teacher. Now I'm in Boston working as the assistant to the principal of a charter high school (www.matchschool.org) and hoping to attend graduate school this fall! (2/22/04) Aimee June Bianchi- I took some time off to do some spiritual/emotional healing and came to the conclusion that I wanted to serve children who had trouble reading. The next day after that revelation I saw an ad in the paper for an americorps volunteer! It was meant to be and now I devote my life to service and am continuing my education at Naropa University to become a therapist. Serving Americorps is something I am very proud of. "It is by spending oneself that we become rich." -Sarah Bernhardt. Thank you for the experience! June (1/20/04) Tara J. Bonebrake - I found my calling through my americorps service and will begin my first year of full time teaching at a public school here in St. Louis. My love for helping kids continues to grow through my teaching and extracurricular activities. I used part of my ed award to travel to England last summer for progrom on literacy instruction. My time in Americorps left me with many great memories as well as an idea of what path my life should take. (8/30/05) Daniel Bouk - I'm now getting a PhD in history at Princeton. (1/23/06) George-Phillip Patrick Boulafentis(2/3/04) Britt Boynton - After serving for two years in Apopka, I returned home to CT for a year off before attening Bank Street College of Education in NYC to recieve my masters in middle school education. While working towards my master's degree, I worked with the Liberty Partnership Program, an afterschool program serving "at-risk" students from Washington Heights and the South Bronx. After graduating I took a year off from teaching and worked at Sylvan Learning Center in NYC. I will now be teaching 5th grade at Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken, New Jersey. I learned so much in the NDA and am truly grateful for the experience and would like to one day return what I have learned to future members. (9/8/05) Krista Briglia - More than 5 years later, I can still say that volunteering with NDMV was the best choice that I have ever made. I am currently working with the United Way with the hopes that I can continue to change the lives of the people in the community in a positive way. My year in the Bay Area introduced me to wonderful people (teachers, students & especially my fellow NDMV members) who I will never forget. Erica Brooks - A month after I finished my second year with NDMVA, I started another year of volunteer service in Berlin, Germany, this time working with groups affected by the Holocaust. I've been back in California since September '04, working for a high school English department and working on an MFA in creative writing. I loved my teaching experiences in AmeriCorps, so that MFA includes a certificate in the teaching of creative writing. I'm anxious to get back in the classroom! (1/18/06) Heather Brown-Marchant (8/30/05) Timothy Joseph
Brown - I loved the service opportunity. I loved the whole bunch
of NDMVA members of 1999. Sadly, due to a severe illness to my partner
and finances I had to leave my service early. I did not get to say goodbye
to many of the people I came to love as family. I am happy to report life
has finally stabilized and I may be joining AmeriCorps a lot closer to
home. I believe in the programs and will always give praise to the women
that made such an impact on my life. That includes Sissy, Sister Peg,
Sister Elizabeth, all the women of St Matt's and Wolf St. The young men
were as fine and in touch with the importance of community involvement
in uplifting the spirits and dreams of so many served. Great luck with
all your future endeavors. I have been blessed to know you all even though
it ended for me prematurely. Thanks for being real friends! Tim C Jin Chong- My Notre Dame AmeriCorps experience involved teaching and planning recreational activities for kids. I'm still doing that. I used my educational award to take a NOLS course (National Outdoor Leadership School) and since then, I've been teaching environmental science at outdoor schools and leading summer trips to fantastic places. (3/30/04) Andrea Coates- In August, I moved to Arcata, California, where I now work at a high school and an elementary school. I am employed by a state grant called CalSOAP, which promotes continuing education after high school graduation. I have loved working with the high schoolers. (1/17/04) I am pursuing my Masters in Social Work at Humboldt State University
in Arcata, a beautiful little town in the redwoods of Northern California.
I plan on graduating in the spring of 2006 and hope to get a job in the
substance abuse field. (8/30/05) Rachel Colina (8/30/05) Vanessa Collier Nicholas Connors (3/15/04) Sharon Considine Butler- I was a volunteer from 1992-1993, in Lowell, MA, after graduating from Trinity College in Washington, DC. I lived in community with Bethany Gibbs and Ellen Wright who were also graduates from Trinity. Bethany and I worked at the Middlesex Shelter doing a variety of tasks but mainly focusing on case management. Ellen taught ESL at the St. Julie Asian Center in the mornings and her afternoons were spent working at the Greater Lowell Food Bank. It was a tremendous experience that truly changed my life. Thank you to the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer Program. (7/24/04) Leah Costello- After finishing my year working for the "I Have a Dream" Foundation in Boulder I completed the application process to attend the University of Vermont College of Medicine. I started in the fall of 2003 and I hope to specialize in either Family Practice or Pediatrics. I would love to use my skills in either a rural or underserved area, helping to promote healthy life styles and habits. (1/18/04) D Jaclyn Donahue - My Story: My year at St. Jerome's was one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life to date. I worked with amazing people, both at my site and through NDMV, and I simply fell in love with the kids, who I miss dearly. My greatest area of growth was most definitely my political awareness. My passion of advocating for children and those living in poverty greatly increased, particularly in the Head Start community. That is why upon completing my year with NDMV, and moving to St. Louis to be with my fiance, I took a job with Head Start! I'm doing primarily the same work, except with just one title and a real pay check :) I plan to start grad classes again in the spring; potentially getting a Master's in Public Policy Administration. It's a stretch from my counseling background so we'll see how it goes. I hope my all of my fellow convent roomies and other co-volunteers are doing well! (11/4/04) Shannon Dunlap- I will be thru-hiking the 2,170 mile Appalachian Trail this coming summer with my friend, Jackie Dullien, from Boulder. The hike is a benefit that will establish the Ambitious Ascents Endowed Scholarship with the Women’s Sports Foundation. The scholarship will annually provide a high school senior female with financial assistance to attend college and pursue a sport. You can visit our Web site for more information at http://www.ambitiousascents.kintera.org (3/15/04)
E Adrian Enzastiga - I worked at Mother Seton Academy in the Fells Point area of Baltimore. I worked with middle school kids and met my wife-to-be, Tami Treloggen, who was also serving with me. We currently live in Omaha, NE and work and live at Girls and Boys Town as Family Teachers. We have 2 children of our own (ages 7 & 5) and also live with 6 teenage girls and are continuing our service. (1/13/06) F Margaret Felice (3/16/04) Nichole M. Fontaine-Vonesh- I was married in August of 2002 to Jonathon Vonesh. Soon after we were married we were expecting our first child Grace Mary Margaret who was born June 19, 2003. Prior to her birth in January 2003 I changed jobs and am currently working for the state of North Dakota as a Adult Case Manager for the seriously mentally ill, many are diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Bi-polar Disorder and Depression to name a few. I also provide group therapy to a wide range of clients. I truly enjoy the challenges my job throws at me on a daily basis. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to update you all, and I hope to re-connect with my old friends. (2/24/04) Timothy Foster (1/16/04) G Doug Geier - Amy Potthast and Doug Geier are happy to announce that they are getting married, July 2, 2006, near Asheville, NC. Friends from NDMVA are welcome to come -- please contact Amy and Doug for directions. Doug teaches 4th grade at Cornelius Elementary School, west of Portland. His school and its community remind him often of his time in Redwood City, and he is grateful for the experience he gained in NDMVA. (1/10/06) Catherine A Gildae (formerly Felder)- I currently teach and am working on my PhD in Law, Policy & Society at Northeastern. My experiences as a NDMVA member certainly influence my teaching. This past semester I taught an undergraduate section of Sociology of Poverty and Sociology of Human Service Organizations and had a number of stories to tell - it was a nice stroll down memory lane! This past June Beth and I were married in Boston (after 6 years together!) and celebrated with close friends and family. We have since purchased a house in the area and are settling in with our 2 dogs and 3 cats. It's been an exciting time this past year. (3/7/05) Janice Goode - Currently I am in Boston finishing up my two year service through Urban Catholic Teacher Corps which is run through Boston College and the Archdiocese. I am working towards my masters while teaching third grade as a volunteer at Saint Mary School. Teaching in New Mexico made me realize that I wanted to be a teacher. Kirsten Grothe (5/25/04) After serving 2 years in NDMVA, I moved from LA back up to Northern California (the better half of the state) to live in Redwood City again. I am currently working at Beechwood School in Menlo Park, continuing to serve low income communities, as their Intern Teacher. I teach Science & Reading to 1st grade and Social Studies & Reading to 2nd grade. I am also working part time for my first Americorps Site Supervisor as an assistant. I volunteer in the Middle School Youth Group and the College Group at my church in Redwood City.(5/25/04) I am now a Second Grade Instructor at a wonderful school in eastern Menlo
Park, CA. Check out their website: beechwoodschool.org.
Every year, they are looking for a 1st and 2nd grade Intern - a perfect
position if you enjoyed a first year with Americorps and are thinking
about teaching. I also volunteer with Student Ministries at Peninsula
Covenant Church in Redwood City, CA, and I sing, write/act on the side
for a hobby.(7/3/06) Ann Gordon (3/15/04) Heriberto Guzman, Jr. (3/4/05) H Bethany Gibbs Hanley- I worked with my dear Trinity College friends, Sharon Considine (Butler) and Ellen Wright (Rosemond) in Lowell, MA. We lived in a great retro 70's apartment in the "Highlands" district of the city, and enjoyed the multicultural environment of the former mill town. Working at the Middlesex Shelter was such a powerful and enlightening experience - the memories are still vivid today, over 10 years later. Beth Hasbrouck- I moved back home to Colorado after my year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA, and a year later my partner Matt and I (and our dog Noa) moved out here to Eugene, OR. I am currently applying for admission to graduate school for this fall - I would like to earn my Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. My top choice school is SIT (School for International Training) in Brattleboro, VT, and I am also applying to the Univ. of Oregon and Colorado State University. I am excited to see where life will take me! Fellow VISTA alums, please write and let me know how/what you're doing :) (1/31/04) Jessica Christine Hemm- My amazing two years in AmeriCorps have led me to continue working with children in Seattle. I am 24, and working at the LASER before and after school program as well as working as the playground supervisor at an elementary school! I have learned to like broccoli and squash and will be attempting to finish a half marathon in may. (1/15/04) Matt Hertel- I am currently working as a VISTA with the MicroBusiness Development Corporation located in Denver, CO. I am the Program Manager of YouthWorks which strives to support Denver’s youth by giving them the opportunities, resources, skills and support to explore their entrepreneurial potential. (2/20/04) Alexander Hill- Immediately after graduating from Wheaton College in 2000, I was given the wonderful opportunity to teach at a brand new school called the Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford. I was the school's first social studies, math and Latin teacher, in addition to being the first athletic director. It was a very challenging and rewarding experience, as it was my job to really set a precedent with the students. I more or less had total freedom in the classroom, and as for sports, it was my job to create a middle school athletic program. It was a wonderful feeling to know that I was building the foundation for a great school in a community that needed much help. My fellow teachers and I worked long hours and many Saturdays, but there was never a time I wanted to be someplace else. I remained at Nativity for two years before moving to Western Massachusetts, where I reside now, to coach baseball at Westfield State College and take classes at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. However, I make sure that I visit Nativity every couple months and never miss an 8th grade graduation. I am still very friendly with the folks at Navitity, and remain in touch with my former co-workers who have also moved on to different things. (3/15/04) Laura Hills (2/24/04) Evelyn Hoffman I am currently teaching first grade in Miami and I LOVE it!!! It's definitly something that I would never have done if not for my Americorps experience. (4/25/06) Elizabeth Hudson (6/10/04) Katherine Huff (3/16/04) I Mindi Dawn Imes- Volunteering was a life changing experience which has opened my heart and mind. I am eternally thankful for my experience. (1/20/04) J Patrick
Jones- I am currently living in San Francisco. I am enrolled at
San Jose State University in pursuit of a masters in library and information
science. I plan to be an activist revolutionary librarian. I really enjoyed
these last two years with Americorps. I hope all of my fellow members
are doing well. K Katie Lockhart Kasben- One of my best adventures was working at Mission Dolores in SF and being part of a truly wonderful group of volunteers! The Seventh grade teacher let me create a Women's Studies class for her girls and now I have written a full curriculum for Middle School Women's Studies and am teaching it in North Carolina. And being in SF for the 30-year reunion of the "Summer of Love" ...Amazing! My year of service helped me grow into a better person. (1/17/04) Joseph Anthony Kelly - I had many questions about life upon entering the Americorps program in Apopka. After exiting, I had even more questions, but I figured out that I wanted to teach. The facilitators in Apopka showed me that fulfillment in life can come through service to others...and that I don't have to be afraid of nuns anymore (but mostly the fulfillment part). I'm proud to say that I'm a teacher and an alumnus of this program. Kate Kennedy- I am now in graduate school earning my M.Div. at Starr King School for the Ministry, a Unitarian Universalist Seminary in Berkeley, CA. After NDAC I moved to Boulder, CO, for two years then back to the Philadelphia area for two years, where, among other things, I did a year of AmeriCorps VISTA through my alma matre, Villanova University. (1/17/04) Kelli
Chapin Kennedy - After finishing my service year I returned to
MA for a year then began medical school in 1999 in Washington, DC @ GW.
I graduated in 5/03 and am currently in my last year of pediatric residency
at New England Medical Center in Boston, MA. I was married in 8/00 and
had my first son, Colin in 5/03. We are expecting our second child in
November 05! (10/11/05) Sara Kilroy - What can I say... AmeriCorps with Notre Dame Missions Volunteers greatly influenced my future, it gave me new eyes. During my second year of service, I applied to Clark University and received a scholarship due in part to my service with the Sisters. This summer, I spent a month in Honolulu taking a workshop with Sister Trudeau. This opportunity unfolded before me at an AmeriCorps meeting. As I continue my pursuit of a Master's degree in Community Development and Planning, I keep in mind the lessons the Sisters have taught me and hope to continue my involvement with the Sisters for many years to come. Thank you Sister Caroline, thank you Pat McCormick and thank you to the members that served beside me in L.A. and San Francisco. (9/26/05) Sidney A. Kirkpatrick- During my service w/ NDMVA I was not only able to continue my educational pursuits, I was also able to enjoy the wonderful journey that came along with my service. My experience as a volunteer really allowed me to see the difference one person can make by applying the principles and beliefs of the NDMVA. I know deep in my heart that many of the people I encountered during my service with the mission are changed forever, if even in a small way, they are aware of the great things that results from people working together for common good. (1/20/04) Stacey Kohut Klein- My first job after my NDMVA year was as a community organizer with the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center in San Francisco. I then got involved with mental health and substance abuse counseling, and ended up working for a residential treatment program. In 2002, my husband's job caused us to leave San Francisco and move to the Netherlands. I'm currently living in a small village called Brielle in the south of Holland, where I'm working on a book, learning Dutch, and traveling with my husband, Eric, as much as possible. We're hoping to return to San Francisco this summer. (3/17/04) Melissa
Anne Kline - After graduation, I was hired by the agency I volunteered
extra hours at, the Southeast Teen Center (now Southeast Youth Academy),
as a Program and Volunteer Coordinator- continuing to work with at-risk
teens, public health, and youth leadership initiatives. I began graduate
school in 1999 but delayed my studies for two years when I accepted a
job as the Director of Foster Grandparent Program (a SeniorCorps program)in
Annapolis, MD. After several years I went back to complete my degree,
and graduated in May 2005 with a Masters in Social Work, dual concentrating
in Clinical/Management and Community Organizing with an emphasis on public
health. I recently completed a Schweitzer fellowship and accepted an appointment
as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Dept. of Health and Human
Services, but spend the remainder of my time volunteering on non-profit
Boards and as a counselor. (8/30/05) L Mindy (McPherson) Laber (1/21/04) Elizabeth LaManna- Since, leaving Baltimore and the St.Matt's Crew, I have moved back to Michigan. I have been a full time teacher in an impoverished district for 4 years now. Many of my NDA experiences have helped me to be successful and flourish as a teacher in a very challenging situation. In addition to teacher, I am attending Grad School at Madonna University. There's more I could tell, but for now this will do. I'd love to hear from other St. Matt's Community and EIC members. It was indeed a great year full of many lessons and memories. My expereince made me a stronger person. (3/21/04) Katy Larkin- I moved to Baltimore three days before starting my first day at NDMV on February 4th, 1998, as the Communications and development VISTA, and have now lived in the city for 6 years! My first project was to start a newsletter for the organization and develop a concept, name and logo as well. Thus came the creation of Human.Kind. In addition to the newsletter, I worked on grant writing and creating a presence in our site areas for NDA by getting our member stories and successes out in the press. Friendships I made during the program have proved to be everlasting and the experience was one that I hold dear. I am now approaching my four-year anniversary with Advertising.com as Senior Designer. I am working on my website now to start my own business as a freelance graphic artist. It will be called A Street Studios, currently www.astreetstudios.com, which is still in progress. Keep in touch and best of luck!!!!(1/16/04) Marjorie Lope (3/15/04) Clementine Lord- After finishing my year of service with Nativity, I applied and was accepted to a MA program in Northern Ireland. Come November I will recieve my Masters in Peace and Conflict, and hope to use it to continue my experience helping and serving others. (3/22/04) Christine M. Luth (3/4/05) M Sara Mahan - After Boulder, I went to Barcelona for a semester, then returned home to Portland, where I've been working in education in one way or another for the last two and a half years. Went to France a year ago; that was cool; I'm kind of tri-lingual, kind-of. Currently slowly working on Tae Kwon Do and guitar, and going back to school for Linguistics at PSU this summer.(4/26/06) Tammy Maitland- I was an intern teacher and tutorer at the Epiphany Middle School. It was extremeley difficult and challenging but I got a lot out of it. After serving 2 more years as an AmeriCorps Service-Learning Facilitator in DC I will be starting a teaching program so I can get trained to be a teacher. (3/17/04) Stephanie Marchese - After an eventful year, with many ups and downs and the transition into a teacher, I have recently completed two Master's degrees from Simmons College in Boston in Gender/Cultural Studies and Teaching with state certification. This AmeriCorp year strengthened my commitment to teach and serve. It was a wonderful starting point for what I hope will be a life-long career. I am now currently looking for teaching positions and continuing my research and activism in a variety of forums. Thanks AmeriCorps! (8/30/2005) Faith Mathews - Catholic Worker at a house of Hospitality in Rochester. Doing my part to end the oppresion and fight the man (nonviolently). (4/3/2006) Juanita McDavid (9/26/2005) Terri McGrath (3/15/04) Courtney Lorraine Miller (3/15/04) Kerry Ford Morancy - I volunteered to take a break from life since my brother's diagnosis of bi-polar disorder occured my sophomore year in college. Little did I know I'd come to know a wonderful life of simplicity, living within (and below) my means, starting a career in social work and pastoral ministry, and creating community and an adult life in a new city. Since then I earned a MA in Pastoral Ministry and MSW from Boston College, worked for Catholic Charities in Springfield, MA, the Food Bank of North Carolina, and now for Catholic Charities of Baltimore as the Spiritual Development Coordinator at St. Vincent's and Villa Maria, residential treatment centers for youth, infant to 13 years old. It's amazing! Cortni Muldoon (3/15/04) Cathleen Murphy (10/7/2004) Joseph Murphy (3/4/05)
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